NEW ORLEANS – In a new statewide report card released by the Louisiana Department of Education, two New New Orleans College Prep (NOCP) schools have shown significant academic progress. Walter L. Cohen College Prep High School and Lawrence D. Crocker College Prep Elementary have not only increased their School Performance Score (SPS) by double digits, but both schools represent successful "turnarounds" in the New Orleans public school system since Hurricane Katrina.
Cohen has risen from an "F" to a "B" letter grade after just four years of NOCP management. Cohen has also achieved a 100 percent college acceptance rate and its graduates have earned more than $2 million in merit scholarship for two straight years.
"I am extremely proud of the tremendous accomplishments of our students," said Jim Raby, President of the Walter L. Cohen Alumni Association and Vice-Chair of NOCP. "I am truly grateful to NOCP for not only eliminating the school's failing status but establishing a school of excellence."
Meanwhile, Crocker has improved from an "F" to a "C" after only two years of NOCP management, rising from the lowest performing elementary school in 2013 to 5 percent above the 2015 Recovery School District (RSD) state test average.
"We celebrate the ongoing stellar achievements of our Crocker students," said Grisela Jackson, First Lady of Historic Second Baptist Church and NOCP Board member. "Their success is a positive reflection upon our community and validates that we're moving in the right direction. Congratulations to our students, parents, administration, and staff!"
New Orleans College Prep attributes the success of these schools to the leadership of Rahel Wondwossen, Cohen Principal, Amanda Aiken, Crocker Principal and the tireless work of their respective staffs.
"There is no more important factor in a school's success than the leadership," said Ben Kleban, Founder & CEO of NOCP. "Ms. Wondwossen and Ms. Aiken have hired and developed excellent teachers, embraced the surrounding community, and stayed relentlessly focused on meeting the needs of children and families."
NOCP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates a network of public schools serving students in PreK through 12th grade in Orleans Parish including Walter L. Cohen College Prep, Lawrence D. Crocker College Prep, Sylvanie Williams College Prep, and John W. Hoffman College Prep. NOCP's mission is to prepare each of their students to enter and excel in a rigorous four year college or university. NOCP schools are open enrollment, tuition free, and committed to preparing our students for college and for life beyond through a strong academic program as well as extracurricular programming focused on the arts, technology, and athletics.
